Giants exercise $7 million contract option for lefty Matt Moore

SAN FRANCISCO -- Matt Moore's $7 million contract option for 2017 has been exercised by the San Francisco Giants, who acquired the left-hander at the trade deadline from Tampa Bay and counted on his contributions to reach the playoffs.

The wild-card Giants lost to the World Series champion Cubs in a four-game NL Division Series. Now they will have their rotation intact with Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Moore and perhaps Matt Cain.

Moore went 6-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 12 starts after joining San Francisco, winning four of his final five outings and going 4-2 in September. He pitched eight strong innings against the Cubs in Game 4 of the NLDS before the bullpen surrendered four runs in the ninth of a 6-5 loss.

Also Thursday, eight players became free agents: infielder Gordon Beckham; outfielders Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco; and pitchers Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez, Joe Nathan, Jake Peavy and Sergio Romo.

San Francisco outrighted catcher Tony Sanchez to the minors off the 40-man roster.